Spring Cleaning 101
Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to refresh your home and get rid of clutter, dust, and grime that’s accumulated over the winter months. Here are some spring cleaning tips to help you tackle your home efficiently:
1. Declutter First
Tip: Decluttering is the first step to a successful spring clean.
How: Start by going through each room and sorting items into three categories: Keep, Donate, and Discard. Be ruthless—if you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s time to let it go. For items you’re unsure about, try asking yourself if it adds value or joy to your life. Decluttering will make your cleaning process faster and more effective.
2. Start High, Work Low
Tip: Clean from top to bottom to avoid re-soiling areas you've already cleaned.
How: Begin with the ceiling and light fixtures. Dust light fixtures, ceiling fans, and the tops of cabinets first. This will prevent dust and dirt from falling on surfaces you've already cleaned. Once the top areas are clean, move on to countertops, furniture, and finally, the floor.
3. Deep Clean Your Floors
Tip: Floors can harbour dirt, dust, and allergens, so give them extra attention during your spring cleaning.
How:
Hardwood or Tile Floors: Vacuum or sweep thoroughly, then mop with a cleaner designed for your floor type. For a deeper clean, use a steam mop to sanitize and lift dirt.
Carpet: Vacuum carpets with a HEPA filter vacuum to remove dust and pet dander. For stains, treat them with a carpet cleaner or DIY solution (baking soda and vinegar work great for most stains). You can also rent a carpet cleaner or hire professionals for a thorough clean.
Area Rugs: Shake out rugs, spot clean stains, and wash or dry clean larger rugs according to their care instructions.
4. Wash Windows and Clean Window Treatments
Tip: Clean windows let in more light and instantly brighten a room.
How:
Windows: Use a glass cleaner or a DIY solution of vinegar and water to clean windows inside and out. If you have storm windows, take them down for cleaning too. Don’t forget to wipe the sills and tracks!
Blinds and Curtains: Dust blinds with a microfiber cloth or a dusting mitt. For fabric curtains, check the care label and either machine wash or take them to the dry cleaner. If they’re machine washable, give them a quick wash to freshen them up.
5. Deep Clean Your Kitchen
Tip: The kitchen is a high-traffic area that requires a deep clean to remove grease, food particles, and germs.
How:
Appliances: Clean your oven, stovetop, and microwave. For ovens, use an oven cleaner or a baking soda paste (baking soda and water), let it sit overnight, then wipe it away. For the microwave, place a bowl of water and lemon slices inside, heat it for a few minutes, then easily wipe away grime.
Fridge: Empty the fridge and toss expired food. Wipe down the shelves with warm soapy water or a vinegar-water solution. Don’t forget to clean out the drip trays and door seals!
Cabinets and Drawers: Wipe down cabinet exteriors and clean out drawers. It’s also a good time to organize pantry items and discard expired goods.
6. Tackle the Bathrooms
Tip: Bathrooms need deep cleaning to eliminate germs, soap scum, and grime.
How:
Shower/Tub: Scrub the grout, tiles, and the tub or shower area with a bathroom cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Use a squeegee to remove excess water from the walls to prevent soap scum buildup.
Toilets: Scrub the toilet bowl with a toilet brush and cleaner. Don’t forget to clean under the rim and around the base of the toilet.
Sink and Countertops: Clean sinks, countertops, and faucets with a mild cleaner, paying attention to any soap scum or toothpaste buildup.
Mirrors: Use a glass cleaner or a DIY vinegar solution to shine mirrors and remove any spots.
7. Dust and Polish Furniture
Tip: Dusting and polishing furniture gives your home a refreshed, clean look.
How:
Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and baseboards, using a microfiber cloth to trap dust. Don’t forget to wipe down electronics, like TVs and laptops, as they collect dust too.
For wooden furniture, use a furniture polish to bring out the shine and protect the finish. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions and test on a small area first.
8. Clean and Organize Closets
Tip: Spring cleaning is the perfect time to refresh your closet and get rid of things you no longer wear.
How:
Go through clothes and shoes, and donate items you haven’t worn in over a year.
Use space-saving hangers and dividers to organize clothing by category (pants, tops, jackets, etc.).
If you have shoes on the floor of your closet, invest in a shoe rack or over-the-door organizer to save space.
Don’t forget to wipe down closet shelves and vacuum the floors.
9. Air Out Your Home
Tip: Fresh air helps eliminate musty odours and brings a fresh spring feeling indoors.
How: Open your windows for a few hours to let in fresh air. If the weather isn’t conducive, consider using an air purifier to clean indoor air. You can also place bowls of baking soda around the house to absorb any lingering odours.
10. Maintain and Refresh Seasonal Items
Tip: Spring is a good time to maintain seasonal items you’ll use over the warmer months.
How:
Outdoor Furniture: Wipe down patio furniture, and wash cushions or throw pillows.
Ceiling Fans and AC Units: Clean the blades of ceiling fans and replace or clean air filters in your HVAC system.
Gardening Tools: Wash your gardening tools, sharpen the blades, and oil them so they’re ready for use when you start planting.
Bonus Tip: Create a Spring Cleaning Playlist
Tip: Music makes cleaning more fun!
How: Create a playlist with your favourite upbeat songs to keep you motivated while you work through your spring cleaning list.
By following these spring cleaning tips, you’ll not only have a sparkling clean home, but you’ll also enjoy the satisfaction of a refreshed living space. Happy cleaning!
